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Honorary 9/11 Food Drive to Benefit Food Pantry

From staff reports

Two local groups are collecting food items to benefit a county charity in honor of the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

AmeriCorps and Senior Corps Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), a program of Appalachian Community Action Agency, are conducting a food drive as a community service project in remembrance of the tragic attacks on Sept. 11, 2011.

“It’s been 10 years since the tragic events unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001,” explained Karen Davidson, who handles RSVP at Appalachian Community Action Agency. “There were a total of 3,497 people who died in the attacks. We want to honor their memory by collecting (at least) this many non-perishable cans of food.”

Donated food will be given to Scott County Cooperative Ministries, a food pantry that serves hundreds of families each month.

Donations can be dropped off at Appalachian Community Action Agency in the Scott County Community Services Building, the Gate City and Duffield branches of BB&T Bank, Farmers & Miners Bank in Weber City, the Scott County Sheriff’s Office, the Scott County Treasurer’s Office, the Scott County Virginia Star and the Scott County Department of Social Services.

Paula Amador of AmeriCorps is assisting with the community service project.

“This is the first of several service projects we’ve started this year by AmeriCorps to assist our local community,” Amador stated. “This project will honor the memory of those lost in the Sept. 11 attacks.”

Items accepted include any canned food items, dry beans, peanut butter, canned meats and monetary donations.

“It’s been 10 years and we have not forgotten, have you?” asked Davidson.

Donations will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 9.

The food drive is part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance.

Beginning in 2002, family members who lost loved ones in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and support groups began to seek a forward-looking tribute to honor the sacrifice of those who were lost and pay tribute to those who rose in service in response to the tragedy.

By encouraging Americans to participate in service and remembrance activities on the 9/11 anniversary, family members wanted to provide a productive and respectful way to honor those who perished and rekindle the spirit of unity and compassion that swept our nation after 9/11 to help meet the challenges we face today.

Because of their efforts to build support for this idea, Sept. 11 has been designated a National Day of Service and Remembrance. The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance was established into law by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009.

For more information, call Davidson at 386-6441.